To estimate a project's expense, you need to understand and plan it. Anything less is a wild guess that will become an albatross

InfoWorld|Sep 19, 2012

Last week I received a question about project estimation. If you're part of a next-generation IT group, project estimation is a critically important capability. If, on the other hand, you're part of a more traditional IT group, project estimation is a critically important capability.

For that matter, if you play a role anywhere in any sort of business that isn't entirely moribund, project estimation is ... that's right.

On page 20, your footnote says, "The answer lies in a black art called 'Project Estimation,' which is outside the scope of this book."

Have you ever written anything about this "black art"? Apparently "I have no idea" wasn't a good enough answer!

— Grasshopper

Grasshopper,

Jeez, quote a guy's own words back at him? Words in a footnote, no less?

I've written a bit about estimation, but not very much. It remains, to me, a black art. When I have no choice, here's how I go about estimating a project.

First and foremost, I inform the questioner:

I won't know the answer until I'm in a position to develop a work breakdown structure that goes at least three layers deep.

I'd rather not provide a SWAG (scientific wild-ass guess) because of the rule of corporate numbers, which states that any number uttered within anyone else's hearing is immediately chiseled into a slab of granite, there to be enshrined forever as an absolute commitment.

I also need to know whether my estimate should include or exclude an allowance for contingencies.

The rule of corporate numbers

Understanding the rule of corporate numbers is vitally important to anyone hoping for a career in management, project management, or for that matter, any professional responsibility. The question, "What will this cost?" asked when all you know is the name of a project, is a landmine. If you step on it, shame on you because you've ignored something said by Isaac Asimov years ago: "I can answer any question, so long as you agree that 'I don't know' is an answer."

If a guy as brilliant as Isaac Asimov was comfortable answering, "I don't know," you should be too.